Town sorting out Middlebridge property issues

At a work session with the Land Conservancy Trust this past Monday, council members discussed the town’s vision for restoring the Middlebridge property, as well as the role businesses and tenants have on the property moving forward.
(Photo By Shaun Kirby)

NARRAGANSETT — The town council met with the Land Conservancy Trust this past Monday to further discuss the issues surrounding the Eddy/Middlebridge property. Purchased in August 2012 by the town for $1.4 million, progress in creating a concrete direction for the properties at 94 and 95 Middlebridge Road has been slow going, namely because of the impact of Hurricane Sandy in October and the election of a new council in November.

Members of the Land Conservancy Trust, the town organization which worked in executive session all last year to broker a sales agreement, have been vocal about its desire to have some form of responsibility in the management of the Eddy property. This past Monday evening, Land Trust Chair Dr. Robert O’Neill and others met with the town council to further discuss their role.
“We just got a full view from Dr. O’Neill and the Land Trust on how they see the property and management progressing, their vision,” said Town Council President James Callaghan. “The problem is we have to come to an agreement with the Trust and the town of what the vision is, and dealing with the current tenants as well as the marina.”
“We need to address the pressing issues, such as the restaurant, rentals and the kayak center, and then the big picture,” he added. “It is kind of a combination.”
When the town council met last to discuss the fate of the Middlebridge property, members expressed their dismay regarding the impact of Hurricane Sandy, which has delayed the establishment of a proper plan from the town.
“I saw the damage in almost all the buildings, and I think we should not be doing anything down there,” said Councilwoman Susan Cicilline-Buonanno in December “One of the missions of the land trust was to preserve the property, and I don’t want to go back and spend anything else.”
“I don’t see anything attractive going across Narrow River Bridge,” said Councilman Douglas McLaughlin. “I can see it driving the administration of the town crazy. It is going to be a nightmare.”
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